No longer biggest or baddest, Southern California's Colossus coaster has its curtain call

FILE-This June 22, 1978 file photo shows two train loads of riders trying out Colossus, at Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., as the giant roller coaster opened for business. The Southern California roller coaster that was the world’s tallest and fastest when it opened in 1978 retires Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. The coaster’s home Six Flags Magic Mountain expects thousands of prospective riders on Colossus’ last day, and a protest is planned by a group seeking to save it.(AP Photo/Nick Ut)

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – It’s last call for Colossus.

The Southern California roller coaster that was the world’s tallest and fastest when it opened in 1978 retires Saturday outside the top 10 in both categories.

Six Flags Magic Mountain expects thousands of prospective riders on Colossus’ last day, and a protest is planned by a group seeking to save the roller coaster.

The mostly white wooden former giant is 125 feet tall and reaches a top speed of 62 mph.

Six months after it debuted 36 years ago, a woman was ejected from her car and killed.

It’s no longer even the biggest or fastest in its corner of the park. Goliath, a much bigger behemoth, now towers over Colossus.

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